Jury Hotels in Galway
December 5th, 2006Jury Hotels in Galway
There is in fact only one Jury Hotels in Galway. This is a 3 star hotel located at the bottom of Shop Street close to the city centre. Jurys Galway hotel caters for large groups as well as the individual traveller. It can be booked via our main engine located at Galway Hotels. The hotel provides an ideal location to stay when visiting Galway.
A Quick Guide to Galway
December 4th, 2006A Guide to Galway
Galway is a city located in the province of Connacht in the Republic of Ireland. The city rests on the west coast of Ireland and it boasts a population of 65,832. The city dates back to a fort built in 1124 by the King of Connacht - around which a small settlement began to grow. The settlement started to thrive during the Middle Ages under the rule of fourteen merchant families known as the ‘Tribes of Galway’. At this time Galway established itself as an international trading post. Today, the city continues to boom and Galway contributes both commercially and culturally to the country. Galway is one of the few cities in Ireland where the Irish language is commonly spoken – giving it the title ‘The Bilingual capital of Ireland’. The city places strong emphasis on the importance of Irish culture, traditions, music, song, dance and storytelling – this is mainly due to the city’s proximity to the Irish-speaking Gaeltacht area. As well as rich traditions and culture, Galway offers visitors a glimpse at some beautiful architecture. The city boasts an abundance of medieval buildings, not least St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church built in 1320, or Lynch’s Castle on Shop Street. For those interested in Renaissance architecture, the extravagantly named Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas, is well worth a visit. The city is a famed home of artists, musicians and writers and Galway hosts a large number of arts festivals each year, including: the Cúirt International Festival of Literature, the Galway Arts Festival, the Galway Early Music Festival and the Galway Film Fleadh. Galway is a perfect base from which to discover the beauty of the West of Ireland, such as the Aran Islands or the Burren. However the city itself offers the perfect location for a relaxing break steeped in the area’s rich traditions and lively culture. Dara Ward lives in Ireland. He operates numerous travel websites including Hotels in Tralee and Hotels in Dublin.
Kylemore Abbey
September 25th, 2006Located in Connemara in County Galway, Kylemore Abbey is a stunning location for any visitors exploring the area. The huge Gothic-style Abbey was built by Mitchell Henry as a gift for his wife, and it stands amongst the stunning landscape of the Twelve Ben Mountains. The Henrys planted thousands of trees, as well as orchards and exotic gardens. Today, Kylemore Abbey acts as a Benedictine convent, but visitors can still explore the lovely gardens and streamside walk. The Abbey also boasts a lovely restaurant and craft shop. For a complete list of all restaurants in Galway click now.
The Rock Glen Restaurant
September 19th, 2006In the cosy surrounds of a converted shooting lodge, Rock Glen Restaurant is one of the finest eating establishments in Clifden, County Galway. The restaurant has earned two AA rosettes, and diners are treated to delicious, modern Irish cookery, with French and Asian accents. The lovely dining hall is out-shone only by the restaurant’s stunning location in the heart of Ardbear Bay and the Twelve Pin Mountains. Staff at the restaurant are extremely friendly, and vegetarians are well catered for.
The Aran Islands
September 19th, 2006For anyone looking to enjoy some traditional Irish culture, a trip to the Aran Islands is an absolute must. There are three islands: Inishmore, Inishmaan and Inisheer, and the largest, Inishmore is just 13km long and 3km wide. The islands have formed from a limestone ridge, and their isolation has allowed traditional Irish culture to thrive. The landscape of the Aran Islands is particularly striking, with lush fields crossed by stone walls, beautiful cliff walks and lovely beaches.
Coole Park
September 17th, 2006Anyone taking a relaxing break in the West of Ireland should devote some time to visiting the lovely Coole Park, near Gort in County Galway. This land was once the home of Lady Gregory, although, unfortunately the beautiful estate was demolished in the 1950’s. Thankfully, the beautiful gardens and farm remain untouched, and they are well worth a visit. The charmingly manicured gardens boast some lovely woodland, and a popular attraction is the ‘autograph tree’, a copper beech tree that boasts the initials of Jack Yeats, JM Synge and George Bernard Shaw. There are also two signposted trails, which begin at the fascinating Visitors’ Centre.
Connemara National Park
September 17th, 2006Connemara National Park offers visitors some of the most beautiful scenery in Ireland. The park is a mixture of mountains, lakes and boglands, and it stretches for more than 5,000 acres. At the heart of the park is the beautiful valley of Glanmore, which is crossed by the Polladrik River. Connemara National Park boasts some impressive examples of megalithic tombs, some of which are 4,000 years old. The park is open throughout the year, while its Visitors’ Centre is open between March and October. Two signposted trails lead from the Visitors Centre. The area is famed for its population of semi-wild Connemara ponies, which, legend has it, are descended from Arab stock, having come ashore from the wrecks of Spanish Armadas.
The Square Pub
September 17th, 2006Located in the beautiful and quiet town of Clifden, The Square Pub is the perfect place to make a relaxing pit stop while exploring the country’s west coast. This pub is famously friendly, and though popular amongst locals, visitors are always welcome to enjoy a tipple next to the cosy peat fire. The Square Pub is always busy, and it boasts live music throughout the summer. This large pub also serves delicious food throughout the day.
Kinvarra village
September 15th, 2006Kinvarra is a lovely fishing village in the west of Ireland. Located in County Galway, the village rests on Galway Bay, close to the monastic settlement of Kilmacduagh. The village is lined with charming, brightly painted cottages, with a picturesque harbour at its centre. The village boasts welcoming pubs and numerous restaurants serving delicious, fresh seafood from the local area. Visitors to Kinvarra can enjoy wonderful scenic and historic walks, with plenty of nature trails to entertain nature lovers.
The Couch Potata Restaurant
September 13th, 2006Located close to Eyre Square in Galway City, Couch Potata is a restaurant which celebrates Ireland’s favourite food: the potato! This restaurant offers a huge number of dishes, all centred around the humble spud. All dishes are hearty, portions are huge and prices are inexpensive. The Couch Potata restaurant boasts a simple, bright décor, and an atmosphere that is friendly. The restaurant has a loyal following amongst locals, and it is extremely popular amongst the city’s younger residents. See restaurants in Galway for a full guide to all Galway restaurants.